On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump held a significant phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking their first conversation since June. The discussion, which began at 8 a.m. ET, covered critical topics such as the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, the finalization of a TikTok deal, and other pressing global issues. Trump described the call as “very productive” in a Truth Social post, highlighting progress on trade, fentanyl, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the successful approval of the TikTok deal.
TikTok Deal Finalized
A key outcome of the call was the finalization of a deal to keep TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, operational in the United States. Trump confirmed the agreement in his Truth Social post, expressing appreciation for Xi’s approval, stating, “We made progress on many very important issues including… the approval of the TikTok Deal.” A White House official noted that the finalized deal was a significant achievement, with the president directly announcing its completion.
Chinese state media, via Xinhua, described the call as “candid, pragmatic, and constructive.” Xi emphasized that China respects the decisions of its companies and supports business negotiations that comply with Chinese laws while balancing interests. He also urged the U.S. to maintain an open and fair business environment for Chinese companies, including TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance issued a statement thanking both leaders for their efforts to preserve TikTok in the U.S. and pledged to ensure its continued availability to American users.
Trade and Global Issues
The call also addressed the ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Trump noted that the discussion touched on trade, though specific details were not disclosed. Xi, according to Xinhua, cautioned the U.S. against imposing restrictive trade measures that could undermine progress made through prior consultations. Both leaders expressed a commitment to continue dialogue, with plans for additional phone calls and in-person meetings.
Beyond trade and TikTok, Trump highlighted discussions on fentanyl and the need to end the Russia-Ukraine war, signaling the call’s broad scope. These topics reflect the complex and multifaceted relationship between the U.S. and China, with both leaders navigating domestic and international pressures.
Future Meetings Planned
Trump announced plans to meet Xi in person at the APEC summit in South Korea in November 2025 and to visit China in early 2026. He also mentioned that Xi would eventually visit the U.S., suggesting a continuation of diplomatic engagement. These meetings could provide further opportunities to address unresolved issues, including trade disputes and other global challenges.
Context and Implications
This call comes at a time of heightened political activity in the U.S., with Congress facing a potential government shutdown after the Senate rejected both Republican and Democratic funding proposals on September 19. The finalized TikTok deal is particularly significant given the app’s popularity among American users and ongoing national security concerns about its Chinese ownership. Trump’s remarks on Fox News the previous day, where he noted being “very close to deals on all of it” and described his relationship with China as “very good,” underscore the delicate balance of competition and cooperation between the two nations.
The successful TikTok agreement could set a precedent for how the U.S. handles foreign-owned tech companies, while the trade discussions may influence global economic dynamics. As Trump and Xi continue their dialogue, their ability to find common ground will likely shape U.S.-China relations in the coming years.
